This Year's Telling Tales Out of School Fundraiser and Gala Biggest Success Ever

With event tickets sold out and $132,000 gross in funds raised, People for Education event coordinators are saying this year’s “Telling Tales Out of School” gala and fundraiser was their biggest success ever.

Hundreds of individuals attended the event Monday June 6th with the intent of raising money and awareness to improve public education in Ontario. The event, held at the Young Center for Performing Arts in Toronto’s Distillery District commemorated the organization’s 15th anniversary.

Celebration festivities included an auction, silent auction, raffle and grand performances by some of Canada’s most talented performers. Attending the event was Booker prize winning author Michael Ondaatje, critically acclaimed filmmaker Atom Egoyan, actors Serena Pramar (How to be Indie), Zaib Shaikh (Little Mosque on the Prarie), and Krystin Pellerin (Republic of Doyle), as well as many other famous musicians and comedians.

Members of CUPE 4400, Toronto Education Workers union, also attended the event. CUPE 4400 Unit C Steward Coordinator and sponsor of the event Colleen Costa, spoke about the importance behind raising funds and awareness for public education.

“The hope is that we’re bringing people together and we’re giving new participants an education about what ‘People for Education’ means,” says Costa. “It’s about quality education, about public education and about making sure there is proper funding from the ministry of education to ensure our children are getting the best quality education and resources from birth right up to the senior years. We want to make sure communities are building together and there’s quality public services – public services that are in the community and that stay in the schools. That’s what it’s all about.”

In 2010, People for Education was able to reach over 20,000 parents, citizens and school councils and support 500 newcomer and low income families. Event coordinators are hoping next years event will be equally successful.

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